The Sunshine State prays for Rain. Dreams may come true next week.

Cowell's is a great place to learn in the winter time.

Nothing in life is a sure bet.  And this year, predictions for rain are far from it.  As we left one of the driest Decembers in history, the state is starting to look a little less heavy in water.  The snowpack is virtually non-existant, and our water year is starting to look bleak.  Concerning, even.  So all eyes are focussed on teleconnections that are starting to move in the right direction for rain to come our way.  But a lot needs to fall into place before that will happen.  Still, the pattern is changing.  It is still too soon to tell if it will be another dry pattern, or one that brings much needed rain and snow.  The big determining factor is the location of the new ridge that forms as our persistent west coast ridge move north.  Regardless of the result, we are changing patterns, and therefore a chance of prolonged rain exists.  And really, that is what we need.

In the meantime, this week looks to be quite pleasant.  Overnight, we are seeing cool, but not cold temperatures down along the coast.  Expect them to bottom out around 40 degrees.  During the day, things warm quickly with the sun.  Around noon highs will be about 60F on Monday, slowly building to mid 60s by Friday.  Over all quite nice.  Sun is the name of the game for most of the week.  This evening a storm is moving through the PNW.  So, tomorrow we may see some clouds pulling through the area with a very slight chance of showers.  Very slight.  Hell, we may not even see that much of cloud cover. Currently, it looks like the weekend will be nice.  But what about MLK Day?  Well, that is still up in the air a bit.

More birds and more low tide reef.  Winter tides can get pretty negative and expose deep reefs.

The pattern change is occurring this week.  Our bubble of sun will begin to break down and shift toward our north.  If it reforms well enough east, we will see a through develop over us, along with a river of cold and wet air pushing down from the Arctic.  If, on the other hand, it sets up more directly north, it will have a similar effect as it does now.  It would be dry.  A bit breezier perhaps.  And a bit warmer perhaps.  And while warm and sunny does sound nice, ultimately, we need some rain.  And snow.  All that said, it is still too early to determine what will happen.  As we get closer, a better picture will form.  Until then, just have you mind ready for some rain starting next week.  And plan now for a chance of precipitation on MLK.  Odd though is that the holiday weekend will stay nice regardless of where this next pattern goes.

Okay.  Great week ahead.  Moderate surf and mostly easterly winds.  Mid 60s.  Sunny, except for perhaps Tuesday.  Weekend should be more of the same.  Chance of a rainy pattern setting up around MLK Day and after.  Equal chance for another, but different, sunny pattern to happen as well.